The victory of Trafalgar was celebrated, indeed, with the usual forms of rejoicing, but they were without joy; for such already was the glory of the British Navy, through Nelson"s surpassing genius, that it scarcely seemed to receive any addition from the most signal victory that ever was achievedupon the seas. The destruction of this mighty fleet, by which all the maritime schemes of France were totally frustrated, hardly appeared to add to our security or strength; for while Nelson was alive to watch the combined squadrons of the enemy, we felt ourselves as secure as now when they were no longer in existence.
The most triumphant death is that of the martyr; the most awful, that of the martyred patriot; the most splendid, that of the hero in the hour of victory; and if the chariot and the horses of fire⑥ had been vouchsafed for Nelson"s translation, he could scarcely have departed in a brighter blaze of glory. He has left us, not, indeed, a mantle of inspiration, but a name and an example which are at this hour inspiring thousands of the youth of England-a name which is our pride, and an example which will continue to be our shield and our strength. Thus it is that the spirits of the great and the wise continue to live and to act after them.
- SOUTHEY
WORDS
achieved, gained. alleviate, assuage. articulation, utterance. ascertaining, determining. calamity, disaster. celebrated, signalized.
congratulated, complimented. contemplated, meditated. conveyed, carried. distinguished, characterized. elapsed, transpired. enjoined, advised.
epaulet, shoulder-badge. expected, anticipated. frustrated, baffled.
hand-kerchief, a cloth of silk or linen.
hastened, hurried.
impatient, eager. ineffectually, unsuccessfully. inspiration, divine influence. intelligence, news. legislature, parliament. momently, continually. musketry, small guns. prevented, detained. prospect, hope.
recognized, identified. replaced, renewed. reverenced, revered. reverting, returning. satisfied, contented. sublime, grand. vouchsafed, granted.
NOTES
① Mizzeu-top, a platform at the top of the lower mizzen-mast-the aftermost mast in a ship.
② Reve, drawn through the blocks so as to connect the rudder with the steering-wheel.
To reeve a rope, is to pass it through any block or ring-bolt. It is probably connected with reef, to reduce a sail-which is done by passing the reef-points or ropes through eyelets. The word reef properly belongs to the row of short ropes themselves, which, as they hang on the sail, have the appearance of the teeth of a rake or comb. Reef as applied to a ridge of rocks, embodies the same idea.
③ The cockpit, a room under the lower gun-deck, in which the wounded are dressed.
④ Unless it should please the King.-He was buried in St. Paul"s Cathedral, on 9th January 1806.
⑤ Invading our shores.-Napoleon"s plans for striking a swift and deadly blow at England, had been completed before the end of 1804. A great army-"the Army of England"-had been assembled at Boulogne; but it was necessary to have command of the Channel before this host could be transferred across it. With this view, he had ordered the combined fleets of France and Spain to sweep the Channel; but their complete destruction at Trafalgar frustrated Napoleon"s design, and the "Army of England" was at once marched against Austria.
⑥ The chariot and the horses of fire.-A reference to the translation of the prophet Elijah,as described in 2 Kings ii. 11.
QUESTIONS
How did Nelson give an example of humanity? How was this ill requited? Where was Nelson struck? Why did he tell the surgeon to attend to the others in the cockpit? Whom did he become impatient to see? What news of the battle did Hardy bring him? What wishes did he express regarding his burial? What were his last words? What was the fate of the man who had shot him? How many of the enemy"s ships struck? What was the great result or the victory? Why was it celebrated without joy?